48 CFR § 1817.7000 - 1817.7000 Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t48/s1817.7000"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "48 CFR § 1817.7000 - 1817.7000   Definitions."
title_number: 48
title_name: "Federal Acquisition Regulations System"
section_number: "1817.7000"
section_name: "1817.7000   Definitions."
chapter_number: 18
chapter_name: "NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES"
part_number: "1817"
part_name: "SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "51 U.S.C. 20113(a) and 48 CFR chapter 1."
regulatory_source: "61 FR 55753, Oct. 29, 1996, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1817"
---


# 1817.7000 1817.7000   Definitions.

(a) *Down-selection.* In a phased acquisition, the process of selecting contractors for later phases from among the preceding phase contractors.

(b) *Phased Acquisition.* An incremental acquisition implementation comprised of several distinct phases where the realization of program/project objectives requires a planned, sequential acquisition of each phase. The phases may be acquired separately, in combination, or through a down-selection strategy.

(c) *Progressive Competition.* A type of down-selection strategy for a phased acquisition. In this method, a single solicitation is issued for all phases of the program. The initial phase contracts are awarded, and the contractors for subsequent phases are expected to be chosen through a down-selection from among the preceding phase contractors. In each phase, progressively fewer contracts are awarded until a single contractor is chosen for the final phase. Normally, all down-selections are accomplished without issuance of a new, formal solicitation.

[61 FR 55753, Oct. 29, 1996. Redesignated at 80 FR 68778, Nov. 6, 2015]